You look at the absolute scorn that gets poured on a fallen celebrity, whether it's Tom Cruise or Lindsay Lohan or Marlon Brando, or Elvis when he got fat. They're not allowed the dignity of ordinary failure. And I think that plays into people's notions about Los Angeles, too. It's not allowed to be a regular city with problems.
Matthew SpecktorWe go to literature because it shows us some set of humane values. It is showing us how to live.
Matthew SpecktorA lot of talent, a lot of the currency that movies used to have, has spilled over into TV. People talk about TV the way they used to talk about movies and, as much as I hate to say it, the way they used to talk about books.
Matthew SpecktorI sometimes get asked if I think about film stuff while I'm writing fiction, and the answer is, of course not.
Matthew Specktor